Larry Vickers accomplished a lot in nearly a decade as Norfolk State coach.
And that success — particularly over the last four seasons, including three MEAC championships and four postseason appearances mixed in with a historic 30-win campaign — drove his departure to Auburn.
“I checked everything on my Norfolk State bucket list except winning an NCAA Tournament game,” Vickers said pn Monday during an introductory press conference in response to a question regarding why was now the right time to seek another opportunity.
“That was the only thing we didn’t check off. I would have never planned for a mid-major to win 30 games, so for me, it was about what’s next.”
Vickers, who went 177-99 overall and 97-41 in the MEAC at Norfolk State, explained that the SEC — winners of the last three NCAA DI championships — would provide him with an attractive newfound challenge to test his coaching chops.
“There is no better league that is going to test your Xs and O’s and your ability to recruit than this one,” he said.
